Head of a King or Deity
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
The slight smile, soft facial features, and downward-pointing viper on the brow (where there would normally be a rearing cobra) of some of these images suggest that they represent one or more of the kings of the fourth century b.c.e. Whether sculptors’ models or temple offerings (see case label), they illustrate the diversity contained in and the problems associated with this well-attested category of Egyptian art.
For example, the full-figure statuette here (33.593) might seem indeed to have been an artist’s trial piece, and yet its arms are squared off as one would not expect to find on a model. Similarly, the busts might appear to be temple offerings, but several of them have artists’ working marks such as L-shaped depth guides (70.91.2) or a grid pattern (16.76).
For example, the full-figure statuette here (33.593) might seem indeed to have been an artist’s trial piece, and yet its arms are squared off as one would not expect to find on a model. Similarly, the busts might appear to be temple offerings, but several of them have artists’ working marks such as L-shaped depth guides (70.91.2) or a grid pattern (16.76).
MEDIUM
Plaster
DATES
4th century B.C.E.
PERIOD
Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS
9 1/16 x 5 1/2 x 5 1/8 in. (23 x 14 x 13 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
82.22
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
One plaster mask of an ancient Egyptian male, perhaps representing a king, with naturalistically modeled eyebrows, long hollow eyes and cosmetic lines (both originally inlaid), short rounded nose with deep nostrils, small mouth with upturned corners, and fleshy, double chin. The figure once wore a headdress (the headband of which is just visible along the forehead and the left eartab is still preserved).
Condition: There are dark brown lines on the right side of the neck and just above the right cosmetic line (possibly traces of paint); dark spots inside the right cosmetic line, at the tip of that cosmetic line and on the neck; entire surface of head heavily pitted; chips and scratches on cheeks and both sides of neck, tip of nose abraded, some surface discoloration with a great dark spot beneath left eye.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor
CAPTION
Head of a King or Deity, 4th century B.C.E. Plaster, 9 1/16 x 5 1/2 x 5 1/8 in. (23 x 14 x 13 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 82.22. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.82.22_wwg8.jpg)
IMAGE
installation, West Wing gallery 8 installation, CUR.82.22_wwg8.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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